The paralegal studies program trains students for employment as paralegals to help deliver legal services under the supervision of a practicing lawyer, and provides continuing education and upgrading of skills for paralegals already employed. The program also offers practical law-related topics for UAF students whose main focus is in other areas of study, such as political science and justice.

Paralegals and legal assistants are not authorized to provide direct legal services to the public. However, they are qualified to perform rudimentary legal research and produce drafts of letters, office memoranda, pleadings, contracts, wills and similar documents. Paralegals conduct client and witness interviews, engage in basic fact-finding and investigation, and assist in trial preparation and discovery. At all times they remain cognizant of the ethical responsibilities owed by the supervising lawyer to clients, other lawyers and the court system.

The paralegal studies program does not train lawyers or legal administrators. The associate degree is approved by the American Bar Association. The minor is not designed to prepare students to work as paralegals and is not approved by the American Bar Association.

Major -- AAS Degree

Complete ENGL F111X with a grade of C or better prior to admission to the program.

* Students must earn a C- grade or better in each PLS, PS, JUST or JRN course.

Note: Students interested in the paralegal studies degree should consult the program coordinator before enrolling in paralegal courses. Transfer credits for paralegal courses completed at other institutions are subject to approval by the program coordinator. No more than 15 credit hours of paralegal courses completed at other institutions will be applied toward completion of the AAS degree in paralegal studies at UAF.